Slide closure cosmetic stick dispenser casing

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic stick dispenser casing comprising a two-piece, tubular plastic body having left and right halves divided along a median, diametric (longitudinal) plane, and a one-piece plastic cup and manually-operable push-pull strap, the latter riding in a groove having a direction-reversing bend whereby the operable portion of the strap and the cup move in opposite directions. The casing halves have cooperable, keying projection-and-socket means at the direction-reversing portion of the groove whereby assembly of the parts can be easily effected by laying the cup and strap in that casing half which has the projection, with the strap curved and additionally confined by the projection, and thereafter applying the other casing half having the socket, over the assemblage that includes the cup and strap. The assemblage being thus completed, securement can be effected by a sonic seal or other process.

United States Patent [1.9]

Bryan [4 1 May 14, 1974 1 SLIDE CLOSURE COSMETIC STICK DISPENSER CASING [76] Inventor: James W. Bryan, 15 Madison Springs Dr., Madison, Conn. 06443 22 Filed: Jan. 12,1972

211 App]. No.: 217,086

Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Attorney, Agent, or FirmH..Gibner Lehmann; K. Gibner Lehmann France 401/59 57 ABSTRACT A cosmetic stick dispenser casing comprising a two- 'piece, tubular plastic body having left and right halves divided along a median, diametric (longitudinal) plane, and a one-piece plastic cup and manuallyoperable push-pull strap, the latter riding in a groove having a direction-reversing bend whereby the operable portion of the strap and the cup move in opposite directions. The casing halves have cooperable, keying projection-and-socket means at the direction-reversing portion of the groove whereby assembly of the parts can be easily effected by laying the cup and strap in that casing half which has the projection, with the strap curved and additionally confined by the projection, and thereafter applying the other casing half having the socket, over the assemblage that includes the cup and strap. The assemblage being thus completed, securement can be effected by a sonic seal or other process.

3 8a F l PATENTEMM 14 I974 sum 1 or 2 CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS My copending application entitled Cosmetic Appli- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofa lipstick case embodylng the invention, the case being in closed position.

cator, Ser. No. 37,741, filed May 15, I970, and having the same ownership as the present application now abandoned.

BACKGROUND This invention relates to dispensing type cosmetic stick cases, and more particulary tocases for lipsticks and the like, wherein a push-pull strap is utilized to eject and retract the stick product.

Heretofore various types of strap-operated lipstick cases have been proposed and produced. While these have been more or less satisfactory, there existed a number of drawbacks among which the difficulty of assembly during manufacture has been notable. Also, ease of handling due to external shape, and ease of operation have not been completely satisfactory, nor reliability of the closure or absence of malfunctioning under all conditions of use.

SUMMARY The above disadvantages and drawbacks of priorcosmetic stick cases are obviated by the present invention, which has for one object the provision of an improved strap-operated dispenser case wherein the various components can be especially easily assembled and secured during its manufacture, wherein the closure means is secure at all times, and wherein the operation by the user is particularly easy, I smooth and trouble-free. These objects are accomplishedby the provision of a two-part essentially cylindrical plastic casing comprising left and right halves having complimentary grooves or guides in which the strap is carried and movable.

. between the cup and its contents on the one hand and the push-pull strap on the other hand is eliminated. Additionally. the cup and strap have incorporated in their composition a mold-release substance to give them an especially slippery surface, thus further facilitating the smooth advance and retraction of the cup by applying force to the strap.

Other objects and advantages of the invention involve the ease of manipulation of the case when applying the lipstick or other cosmetic product, and the ease of replacement or replenishment of the product which is being dispensed.

Still other features will hereinafter be disclosed.

In the drawings, illustrating one embodiment of the invention:

FIG. '2 is a top plan view of the lipstick case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view like that ofFlG. I but with the case opened and the lipstick in protruding position. I

FIG. 4 is an inside elevational view of the left half of the case, with the push-pull strap and product-carrying cup respectively in closed and retracted positions.

FIG. 5 is a view like that of FIG. 4 but showing the product cup extended and the strap retracted and in the case-opening position.

FIG. 6 is an inside elevational view of the left casing half, with the push-pull strap and product-carrying cup removed. I

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the left casing half per se.

FIG. 8 is an inside elevational view of the right casing half.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the right casing half.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view ofthe right casing half.

FIG. 11 is a' transverse section of the left casing half, taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary transverse section of the left casing half, taken on the line l2-12 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the left casing half.

FIG. 14 is a transverse section of the right casing half, taken on the line l414 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 is a transverse section of the right casing half, taken on the line l5l5 of FIG. 8.

FIG.'16 is a fragmentary section taken on the line FIG. 17 is a plan view of the push-pull strap and attached product-holder cup. FIG. 18 is an edge elevational view of the push-pull strap and cup, and

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the product-holder cup.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, the improved dispenser shown therein comprises a two-part casing 20 having a left casing half or part 22 and a right casing half or part 24, said parts being joined along a longitudinal, diametric plane indicated by the line 26. The casing parts 20, 22 are of molded plastic, and can be joined by cement, or heat-sealing, or by sonic welding or the like.

In accordance with the invention, as clearly seen in FIG. 2, the two casing halves 22, 24 together provide an exterior cylindrical surface of extent as much as and the remainders of the casing halves have well-rounded corners 28, 30 all for the purpose of enabling the casing to be easily twirled in the hand by the user, this being movement which is quite essential to the application of lipstick, as is well known.

The special structures involved with the protrusion and retraction of the lipstick or other cosmetic stick carried by theslider cup, as later described in detail, enable the above advantageous shape of casing to be achieved, thus contributing greatly to the convenience which the user has in employin g the product. It will be realized that the rounded configuration as seen in FIG. 2 makes a twirling movement readily possible whereas square shapes, even with rounded corners, presents difficulty in effecting any appreciable twirling.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, the left and right casing halves 22, 24 are provided with push-pull strap guide means in the form of grooves 32, 34 respectively, said grooves having direction-reversing portions 32a, 34a at the bottom ends of the halves, and having directionreversing bends'or portions 32b, 341. at the upper ends of the casing halves.

FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 show a molded plastic, unitary cup 36 and push-pull strap 38, the latter being attached to the bottom wall of the cup 36 along a diametric line. The cup 36 has a pair of oppositely disposed guide ribs 40, 42 which are essentially continuations of the longitudinal side edges 44, 46 of the strap 38. The ribs 40, 42 and side edges 44, 46 are accommodated in the grooves 32 and 34 with the strap 38 extending ar9und the lower bend portions 32a, 34a of the groove when the cup is in the advanced position. As seen in FIG. 5, the edges of the push-pull strap 38 do not always extend in the upper bends 32b, 34b of the grooves 34, but when the cup 36 is retracted and the push-pull strap is fully extended as seen in FIG. 4, the upper portion of the strap does occupy the bends 32b, 34b.

According to the present invention the push-pull strap 38 is provided with a pair of small projections or nibs 48 which are cooperable with nibs or projections 50, 52 respectively on the left and right casing halves. This is clearly shown in FIG. 4, and constitutes a yieldable detent by which the cup 36 is yieldably retained in the retracted position, and the strap 38 yieldably retained in the extended position wherein the upper portion 38a thereof occupies the upper portions of the grooves 32 and 34 and also closes a circular top opening 54 formed by the casing halves, such opening en- 'abling the cup 36 for its advanced position to project partially from the casing top as seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. Thus, the cooperable nibs 48, 50 and 52 constitute an important feature of the invention in that they effect a reliable maintenance ofthe closed condition of the casing and serve to prevent dirt, contamination, etc. from entering the casing to adversely effect the stick product (not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) which is carried in the cup. Such stick product is indicated at 56 in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8 it will be seen that the groove 32 of the casing half 22 has a centrally disposed portion designated 32c, and that the groove 34 of the casing half 24 has a centrally disposed portion 34c. These centrally disposed portions of the grooves 32, 34 accommodate the ribs 40, 42 respectively of the cup 32 and provide a guide for the cup, maintaining the latter centralized in the casing. The groove portions 32c, 340 also accommodate side edge portions of the push-pull strap 38 when the cup 36 is in its advanced position, as can be understood from an inspection of FIG. 5.

By the present invention a novel means are provided for facilitating the assembly of the two casing halves 22, 24 with the cup 36 and strap 38 disposed in the operable position between the halves. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 12, the left casing half 22 is provided with a projecting wall 58 which bounds the reversing groove portion 32a and projects from the open side of the casing half 22 toward the other casing half 24. The projecting wall 58 is adapted to confine the push-pull strap 38 which is attached to the cup 36 when the strap occupies the groove 32. The other or right casing half 24 is provided with a recess 60 in which the projecting wall 58 is received, for the purpose of accurately orienting the casing halves during the assembly.

Referring to FIG. 6 it will be seen that the projecting wall 58 is substantially of U-shaped configuration, having a curved leg 58a, a straight upstanding leg 58b, and a connecting or yoke portion 580. The recess 60 has a similar configuration whereby it accommodates the portions 58a, 58b and 58c of the wall 58 to closely confine the latter and accurately key or orient the two casing halves. With such construction. the assembly of the various components is greatly facilitated. Referring to FIG. 5 it will be seen that the cup 36 and the push-pull strap 38 can be fitted into the left casing half 22. The push-pull strap 38 will be confined by the projecting wall 58, and the cup 36 will be confined by the upper portion of the casing half 22, with the remainder of the strap occupying the groove 32 in the manner indicated. The parts will remain in these given positions. It is now only necessary to apply to such assemblage the right casing half 24 whereupon the cup 36 and strap 38 will fit into place and be held captive. Thereafter, the two casing halves can be secured together by suitable means such as cement, heat, sonic welding or the like.

The left and right casing halves have slots 62, 64 respectively, which together provide an elongate clearance space accommodating a finger piece 66 which is molded integral with the strap 38 in a known manner. Accordingly, the operation of the dispenser can be easily carried out by applying force to the finger piece 66 to either raise or lower the push-pull strap 38, this in turn effecting a lowering or raising respectively of the cup 36. When the strap 38 is in its raised position the upper portion thereof closes the opening 54 of the easing, and the cup 36 is retracted as seen in FIG. 4. When the strap 38 is shifted to the retracted position of FIG. 5 the opening 52 is uncovered and the cup 36 is made to project from the opening, this being also indicated in FIG. 3.

By the present invention the cup 36 and push-pull strap 38 are molded of a flexible plastic substance, and a mold release ingredient is incorporated in the composition of the plastic. resulting in an exceptionally slippery surface being given to the cup and strap. In consequence, friction is greatly reduced, and the operation of advancing or retracting the cup can be easily carried out.

Further, in accordance with the invention, the grooves 32, 34 of the left and right casing halves 22, 24 respectively have graduated widths, being wider adjacent the direction reversing portions 32a, 34a and being narrower at portions remote from said reversing portions, whereby the strap as it moves away from the reversing groove portions 320, 34a is prevented from interfering with the cup and contents thereof. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, the groove 32 has its widest portion indicated at 32d, its narrowest portion indicated at 320, and has its intermediate portion 32f of a width somewhere between the narrow portion 32e and the wide portion 32d. The portions 34d, 34e and 34f of the I groove 34 of the right casing half are similarly constituted. With such arrangement, the narrower groove portions 320, 34c more closely confine the leading or advancing edge of the push-pull strap 38 and preclude such edge from interfering with the retracting cup or with the cosmetic stick carried thereby during the closing of the casing.

It will now be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved cosmetic stick applicator device which can be readily operated with the'fingers I to effect the application of the cosmetic substance such as the lipstick. The casing parts can be readily molded from plastic substance in simple molds, whereby'the production cost is kept to a minimum. When the casing is in the closed condition, a reliable maintenance of such condition is had, preventing the entrance of dirt and proventing contamination of the cosmetic stick. By the provision of the cooperable projecting wall on the casing half, and of the receiving recess in the other casing half, both located at the bend or place where the strap normally bends and reverses its direction, the strap and cup can be placed and readily retained in one casing half so as to enable the other casing half to be easily and quickly applied without danger of the strap and cup slipping out. The incorporation of mold release substance in the cup and strap, resulting in an exceptionally slippery surface, reduces friction and facilitates the ease of operation. Further, the multi-width guide slot for the strap eliminates interference between the strap and lipstick, and also between the strap and cup.

Variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the inventionv I claim:

l. A cosmetic stick applicator device comprising, in

combination:- I

a. a tubular, two-part, molded plastic casing comprising a pair of longitudinally-extending coextensive, left and right casing halves having mating edges joined along substantially a diametric plane,

b. centrally, oppositely-located guide means in said casing halves,

c. a cup movable in the casing, said cup having affixed to its bottom a flexible push-pull strap, and having side projections engaged with said guide means to provide for guided movement of the cup longitudinally in the casing,

d. said casing halves each having an elongate groove within and extending along'a longitudinal edge, and having a direction-reversing groove at one end, communicating with said elongate groove, said grooves receiving side edge s of said push-pull strap,

3. one of said casing halves having 21 projecting wall,

located at and bounding. said reversing groove and projecting laterally from the open side of the casing half toward said other casinghalf,

' f. said projecting wall being adapted to engage and confine said push-pull strap attached to the cup when the strap occupies said reversing groove,

g. said other casing half having a mating recess in which the projecting wall of the one casing half is received, thereby to accurately orient the casing halves.

2. A cosmetic applicator device as in claim I,

wherein:

a. the projecting wall of said one casing half has a U- shaped configuration.

3. A cosmetic stick applicator device comprising, in

combination: I

a. a tubular, two-part, molded plastic casing comprising a pair of longitudinally-extending coextensive, left and right casing halves having mating edges joined along substantially a diametric plane,

b. centrally, oppositely-located guide means in said casing halves,

c. a cup movable in the casing, said cup having affixed to its bottom a flexible push-pull strap, and havingside projections engaged-with said guide means to provide for guided movement of the cup longitudinally in the casing,

d. said casing halves each having an elongate groove within and extending along a longitudinal edge, and having a direction-reversing groove at one end, communicating with said elongate groove, said grooves receiving side edges of said push-pull strap,

e. one of said casing halves having a projecting wall bounding said reversing groove and projecting from the open side of the casing half toward said other casing half,

f. said projecting wall being adapted to confine said push-pull strap attached to the cup when the strap occupies said reversing groove,

g. said other casing half having a recess in which the projecting wall of the one casing half is received, thereby to accurately orient the casing halves,

h. said elongate grooves of the casing halves having graduated widths and being wider adjacent said direction-reversing grooves, thereby to more closely confine the push-pull strap at locations remote from said reversing grooves whereby the strap as it moves away from the reversing grooves is prevented from interfering with the cup and contents thereof.

4. A cosmetic applicator device as in claim 3 and further including:

a. nibs on said push-pull strap,

b. said casing halves having nibs disposed at the wider portions of the elongate grooves, cooperable with the nibs of the strap to yieldably retain the latter in a position occupying said grooves.

5. A cosmetic applicator device as in claim 3,

wherein:

a. said elongate grooves comprise a narrow width portion at one end, a wide width portion at the other end, and a portion intermediate the ends which has an intermediate width. 

1. A cosmetic stick applicator device comprising, in combination: a. a tubular, two-part, molded plastic casing comprising a pair of longitudinally-extending coextensive, left and right casing halves having mating edges joined along substantially a diametric plane, b. centrally, oppositely-located guide means in said casing halves, c. a cup movable in the casing, said cup having affixed to its bottom a flexible push-pull strap, and having side projections engaged with said guide means to provide for guided movement of the cup longitudinally in the casing, d. said casing halves each having an elongate groove within and extending along a longitudinal edge, and having a directionreversing groove at one end, communicating with said elongate groove, said grooves receiving side edge s of said push-pull strap,
 3. one of said casing halves having a projecting wall located at and bounding said reversing groove and projecting laterally from the open side of the casing half toward said other casing half, f. said projecting wall being adapted to engage and confine said push-pull strap attached to the cup when the strap occupies said reversing groove, g. said other casing half having a mating recess in which the projecting wall of the one casing half is received, thereby to accurately orient the casing halves.
 2. A cosmetic applicator device as in claim 1, wherein: a. the projecting wall of said one casing half has a U-shaped configuration.
 3. one of said casing halves having a projecting wall located at and bounding said reversing groove and projecting laterally from the open side of the casing half toward said other casing half, f. said projecting wall being adapted to engage and confine said push-pull strap attached to the cup when the strap occupies said reversing groove, g. said other casing half having a mating recess in which the projecting wall of the one casing half is received, thereby to accurately orient the casing halves.
 3. A cosmetic stick applicator device comprising, in combination: a. a tubular, two-part, molded plastic casing comprising a pair of longitudinally-extending coextensive, left and right casing halves having mating edges joined along substantially a diametric plane, b. centrally, oppositely-located guide means in said casing halves, c. a cup movable in the casing, said cup having affixed to its bottom a flexible push-pull strap, and having side projections engaged with said guide means to provide for guided movement of the cup longitudinally in the casing, d. said casing halves each having an elongate groove within and extending along a longitudinal edge, and having a direction-reversing groove at one end, communicating with said elongate groove, said grooves receiving side edges of said push-pull strap, e. one of said casing halves having a projecting wall bounding said reversing groove and projecting from the open side of the casing half toward said other casing half, f. said projecting wall being adapted to confine said push-pull strap attached to the cup when the strap occupies said reversing groove, g. said other casing half having a recess in which the projecting wall of the one casing half is received, thereby to accurately orient the casing halves, h. said elongate grooves of the casing halves having graduated widths and being wider adjacent said direction-reversing grooves, thereby to more closely confine the push-pull strap at locations remote from said reversing grooves whereby the strap as it moves away from the reversing grooves is prevented from interfering with the cup and contents thereof.
 4. A cosmetic applicator device as in claim 3 and further including: a. nibs on said push-pull strap, b. said casing halves having nibs disposed at the wider portions of the elongate grooves, cooperable with the nibs of the strap to yieldably retain the latter in a position occupying said grooves.
 5. A cosmetic applicator device as in claim 3, wherein: a. said elongate grooves comprise a narrow width portion at one end, a wide width portion at the other end, and a portion intermediate the ends which has an intermediate width. 